Care and Maintenance

General care and maintenance guide

The Low Down

It is important that signage is always safe and fit for purpose. Signage doesn’t stay that way without some care and regular maintenance. We have put together the following guide which will help extend the life span.

We are here for the greater good and want to ensure the safety of signage and the representation of your brand.

  • Cleaning

    For maximum retro-reflectivity and durability, and acceptability, the graphics should be kept clean and free from dirt, road tar, oil, and asphalt. Treat retroreflective graphics with the same care used when cleaning high gloss automotive finishes. Avoid scrubbing and brushes with stiff bristles that may damage the surface and use gentle cleaners.

  • Cleaner

    For maximum service life, do not use abrasives or harsh chemically concentrated cleaners. A liquid, nonabrasive detergent solution suitable for high-quality painted surfaces is recommended. Cleaner must be nonabrasive, neither highly acidic nor highly alkaline (pH of 6 to 8 is recommended), and free of damaging solvents. If there is any doubt concerning the suitability of a cleaner, it should be tested on a separate piece of sheeting or a small section before being used in volume.

    Avoid high-pressure sprayers. Sheeting edges are especially susceptible to pressure spray damage.

  • Tar, Oil, and Road Spray

    If any tar, oil, or road spray material remains after following the procedure described above, moisten a soft cloth with 3M Citrus Cleaner and wipe the remaining soiled areas lightly. Following the Citrus Cleaner, wash the sign with detergent and water, then rinse with clean water. Allow to drain dry. Do not spray Citrus Cleaner or other cleaning solutions directly onto the sheeting surface. Avoid using Citrus Cleaner or other cleaning compounds at sheeting edges.

    WARNING: Do not use strong solvents. Cleaning sign surfaces with solvents may cause damage

Recommended Procedure

  • Flush the entire surface with clean water to remove loose dirt particles.
  • Wash with a soft brush, rag, or sponge, using detergent or suitable commercial cleaners. Wash thoroughly from the top down, avoiding abrasion. Once the cleaner has been applied, keep a steady stream of water flowing on the surface to wash away dirt particles.
  • A standard hand spray may be used under the following conditions:
  • Minimum of  300 mm (12 inches) between cleaning jet(s) and graphic face. Cleaning wand or jets at an angle of no more than 45 degrees from perpendicular to the surface.
  • Rinse the entire surface with clean water. Allow to drain dry.

What not to do:

  • Wash using hot water
  • Petroleum based, acidic or strong cleaning agents.
  • Automatic mechanical truck washes with harsh rotating brushes
  • Abrasive products that could scratch paint or vinyl surface.
  • High pressure (higher than 1300 PSI) jet spray.
  • Do not write ontop of the signage as it will damage the outer layer

Graffiti Removal

When graffiti must be removed from reflective graphics, restoration may be attempted. The type of graffiti marking material (type of paint, ink, etc.) and duration of exposure both influence how likely removal is to result in sign damage. When attempting to remove graffiti, the following escalation of cleaner strength is recommended:

  1. Soap and water
  2. Isopropyl alcohol
  3. 3M Citrus Cleaner
  4. Mineral spirits

Commercially available graffiti removers

Solvents have the potential to permanently damage sheeting surfaces if the exposure time is too long. When attempting to remove graffiti from a sign using a solvent, it is strongly recommended that the solvent be tested on a small and inconspicuous portion, using a cloth moistened with the cleaning agent, to assess the potential for sheeting or process colour damage before applying the cleaner to the entire sign.

NOTE: Some cleaners do not affect daytime appearance but do cause loss of retroreflectivity. View cleaned areas with a light source after cleaning to ensure that retroreflectivity has not been affected.

If you had any questions please give us a call. We would love to hear from you. 0508 FOUNDRY (0508 3686379) or maintenance@signfoundry.co.nz